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Senate adopts $340 billion budget blueprint for Trump's agenda after marathon vote; MI keeps EV charging plans on track despite federal cuts; Shore power bill would improve WA air quality, cut emissions; Report: Methane mitigation industry grows in LA, nationwide.

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Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

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The Taos County Sheriff says he won't conduct raids or round ups of immigrants, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to pick another vacation destination, and Southern states improve education with workarounds.

Some WV Small Businesses Express Support for Voting Rights

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Monday, August 9, 2021   

PARSONS, W.Va. -- Some West Virginia small business owners are turning their focus to voting rights. They hope to increase community engagement on the topic, as some state Democratic lawmakers voice their own support for federal voting-rights legislation.

Michael McClintock, co-owner of Mozark Mountain Works, a small retail store in Tucker County, said small businesses in many West Virginia towns are the backbone of local economies. But he believes they no longer have a voice because of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, as well as legislative actions that have yielded more power to large corporations.

"And therefore, less and less of a voice to small business," McClintock asserted. "And I think that that is damaging to the population in general."

This year, a long list of major companies such as Amazon, Google, Netflix and Starbucks have made public statements opposing voting restrictions.

State democratic lawmakers, including Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, and Del. Cody Thompson, D-Randolph, were in Washington, D.C. last week, where they joined more than 100 other lawmakers to show support for the For The People Act.

Small business owners continue to grapple with supply shortages, worker shortages and other challenges brought on by the pandemic. McClintock pointed out he is not worried about alienating potential customers. He believes people on both sides of the political aisle can agree that expanding access to voting is critical in a democracy.

"Giving an equal voice back to small business is eminently nonpartisan, as far as I can tell," McClintock argued.

In a June survey of more than 1,000 small business owners by the group Small Business for America's Future, 60% said they're "concerned" about the state of our democracy.

Among those polled, 74% said they support expanding voting rights and access, and 86% said they believe limits should be set on the amount of money individuals and third-party groups can donate to political campaigns and candidates.


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